CHAPTER XVII. — ADVANTAGES.
The game over, Octavia deserted her partner. She walked lightly, and with the air of a victor, to where Barold was standing. She was smiling, and slightly flushed, and for a moment or so stood fanning herself with a gay Japanese fan.
"Don't you think I am a good teacher?" she asked at length.
"I should say so," replied Barold, without enthusiasm. "I am afraid I am not a judge."
She waved her fan airily.
"I had a good pupil," she said. Then she held her fan still for a moment, and turned fully toward him. "I have done something you don't like," she said. "I knew I had."
Mr. Francis Barold retired within himself at once. In his present mood it really appeared that she was assuming that he was very much interested indeed.